Of course you can find a cheaper supplier.

Of course you can find a cheaper supplier.

And why wouldn't you?

Things are tight in the market. And both these consulting firms and their consultants look alike. They even use the same grand-words on their website.

If only I could see the difference it might help you know which to hire.

But you cant see much difference. Their all likeable enough. And under those circumstances our procurement policy is to go with the lowest bid.

So that's what you do.

And you don't appreciate the risk of that. Because none of those consultancy firms made the effort to educate you. To sit down with me and explain the challenges and dangers.

You don't know (yet) that:

- Cheap consultancy is a potential career limiting choice.
- It looks incompetent asking the CFO for more budget.
- The impact of an external team's cultural mismatch.

Why didn't someone explain?

Poor marketing. Bland value proposition.

--

So why the picture of a burnt out plug.

The Cheap Socket Lesson

A few days ago, the power tripped in the utility room.
But when I checked I found this burnt and charred socket
If it hadn’t gone further I would have has a disaster on my hands.

The cause:
A cheap socket installed by the previous owner.
It's a cheapo one, the kind you buy because “it’s just a socket.”

On the outside, it looked fine.
But over time the flimsy metal contacts inside didn’t grip the plug properly.
That loose connection created resistance, resistance made heat, and heat nearly made fire.

Disaster averted ...

I replaced it with a solid high quality MK* unit.
While I was at it, I checked the others.
Two more like this also loose.

- A potential life limiting choice.
- More budget needed.
- Quality mismatch.

And it got me thinking about how some people don't know the difference between good consulting and average consulting (lets not even get into poor!).

And that's were this post came from.

--

BTW my supplier of choice for safe electrical gear - MK owned by Honeywell. Their value proposition is educational. This is what they say on their website.

We Value Quality.
We start with the finest materials. Our manufacturing is done to exacting standards. Then we test our products relentlessly. Only then will they earn the right to bear the MK Electric name.

We Value Your Safety.
We exceed British Standards with a 3-pin “child resistant” shutter system. Our USB sockets protect against a short circuit. And we feature double pole switching. All to keep you safe.

We Value Your Time.
Quick, easy installation is important. That's why our Logic Plus Rapid Fix switch socket features tool-free, screwless termination, offering up to a 45% faster install time.

Notice each value claim is supported by a use-case educational statement.

Now, take a look at yours.